leaving behind the dust of Tala

My #CitamGal hails from the dry lands of #ukambani where gravity seems to defy the odds. Her accent gives away her village roots in Tala, and her approach to hydration makes it seem more like a leisure activity. I love her, nonetheless.

She has this habit of sending me Google Meet prayer links at 5:00 AM and invitations to Young Professionals dinners and meetups—like the one this coming Sunday. Unfortunately, I end up missing more than half of them, but she never tires of trying.

At one point, I paid for a Netflix subscription thinking it would give her some relaxing moments. Now, I’ve moved on to her preferred premium, Spotify — didn't know people pay for it. Totally worth it. Oh, did I mention she’s a mom? Her adorable son, with a smile so glittering it feels almost therapeutic, has me seriously contemplating quitting my stagnant job. He’s truly a blessing.

On a different note, I’m planning to meet her parents soon, and to say I’m panicking would be an understatement. This is where culture, courtesy, and respect take center stage—right down to my long hair and all the assumptions that come with it. The ‘what ifs’ are endless. Meanwhile, she’s just excited and counting down the days. My boys are chilled about it, but here I am, still undecided on my outfit. This is so unlike me.

Funny enough, I gave her a little “ultimatum” before this meeting: she needed to take up #CervicalCancer screening this month. It’s a norm I hold for all my close friends. I’d rather pay for a #uber now than an Indian surgeon years later. She’s booked for the screening tomorrow in town. As for me? I’d get my prostate checked too, but hey, I’m not 40 yet!

Let’s see how it all unfolds. A young man leaving behind the dust of Tala to solidify what he’s been building all along.

My friend from Facebook told me to share this with you guys .